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Module I
Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental science is the study of nature and the facts about environment. Environment can
be defined as "all the social, economical, physical and chemical factors that surrounds man" or
"all abiotic and biotic components around man-all living and non living things surrounds man".
OBJECTIVES:
To the study of nature and the facts about environment.
 To finding and implementing scientific, technological, economic and political solutions
to environmental problems.
 To study the interrelationship between living organism and environment.
 To appreciate the importance of environment by assessing its impact on the human
world; envision the surrounding environment, its functions and its value.
 To study the dynamic processes and understand the features of the earth‟s interior and
surface.
 To study the integrated themes and biodiversity, natural resources, pollution control and
waste management.
CONCEPTS
According to ancient man the environment was the Pancha boodhas (i.e.) air, water, land, sky
and energy. The human were disciples of nature. They were able to protect themselves from
harmful one and protect the others. But according to modern man the environment is only air
land and water.
Exploitation of various earth resources to satisfy the increasing needs of human population has
resulted in 1) depletion of various resources of earth 2) pollution. Principles of environmental
education:
 Examine the major environmental issues
 Discover the root cause
 Develop problem solving skills
 Promote co-operation in solving problems
 Emphasis active participation in prevention and solution to problems

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SCOPE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
o Studying the interrelationship between the components of environment.
o Carrying out impact analysis and Environmental Audit
o Preventing pollution from existing and new industries
o Stopping the use of biological and nuclear weapons
o Managing unpredictable disasters etc.
PUBLIC AWARENESS
Environmental Pollution or problems cannot be solved by mere laws. Public participation is an
important aspect which serves the environmental Protection.
o Public awareness of environmental issue is at infant stage
o 30-40% of public of developing country are aware of environmental. Problems
but they do not bother about it.
o Ignorance and incomplete knowledge has lead to misconceptions.
o Development and improvement in std. of living has lead to serious environmental
disasters.
o Debates on environmental Issues are treated as anti-developmental.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Any component of the environment which has intrinsic value of its own is called as resource.
Any component which can be transferred in a way such that it becomes more valuable and useful
is termed as resource.
FOREST RESOURCES
A forest can be defined as a biotic community predominant of trees, shrubs or any other woody
vegetation usually in a closed canopy. It is derived from latin word ‘foris’ means ‘outside’.
India’s Forest Cover is 6,76,000 sq.km (20.55% of geographic area). Scientists estimate that
India should ideally have 33% of its land under forests. Today we only have about 12% thus we
need not only to protect our existing forests but also to increase our forest cover.
Forest Functions:
1) Protective and ameliorative functions
a. Watershed protection
b. Erosion control

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c. Land bank
d. Atmospheric regulation
2) Productive functions
a. Fodder for cattle
b. Fuel wood and charcoal
c. Poles for building homes
d. Food: (consumptive use)
e. Sericulture & Apiculture
f. Medicinal plants for traditional medicines
3) Recreational and educational functions
4) Development functions
a. Employment functions
b. Revenue
Commercial uses
 Man depends heavily on a larger number of plant and animal products from forests for
his daily needs.
 The chief product that forests supply is wood, which is used as fuel, raw material for
various industries as pulp, paper, newsprint, board, timber for furniture items, other uses
as in packing articles, matches, sports goods etc.
 Indian forests also supply minor products like gums, resins, dyes, tannins, fibers, etc.
 Many of the plants are utilized in preparing medicines and drugs; Total worth of which is
estimated to be more than $300 billion per year.
 Many forests lands are used for mining, agriculture, grazing, and recreation and for
development of dams.
Ecological uses
The ecological services provided by our forests may be summed up as follows:

Production of Oxygen: The main green house gas carbon dioxide is absorbed by the
forests as a raw material for photo synthesis. Thus forest canopy acts as a sink for carbon
dioxide thereby reducing the problem of global warming caused by green house gas CO2

Wild life habitat: Forests are the homes of millions of wild animals and plants. About 7
million species are found in the tropical forests alone.